Association News

Colorado Trappers & Predator Hunters Association

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Depending on what one’s outlook is and what they look forward to, equates to their perception of the landscape from their personal point of view. Archery season here in Colorado is done and over. Muzzleloading season has come and gone. Big game season is in the heart of the hunt. Upland Bird and Waterfowl seasons are taking shape and Predator/Furbearers seasons are just starting off if not around the corner.

Whatever your fancy, this is the time of the year that our community looks forward to. Make sure that you enjoy it and relish the opportunity to chase your passion no matter what season, species, method of take or location.

While fur prices this year will not be an incentive to pursue our interests, take a look in the mirror and remember, as a kid how excited you were to get up at 4:00 am. and go check your traps from the day before or to sit on a stand watching the Coyote come running full bore for breakfast. Remember how you felt as legal shooting hours were minutes away and the Ducks and Geese were flying by the thousands. Remember the anticipation of not knowing what was yet to come by stalking that Mule Deer in his bed or as that faithful family pet finally learned to point only to find out it was a female Pheasant that jumped up.

While we treasure these memories and plan for the next hunt or prepare our equipment for the next gauntlet also remember that there is a growing cancer on the landscape that is trying to take away every single one of these activities and truly make them memories.

There are many concerning issues on the Colorado landscape and while we continued to remain steadfast and victorious on all fronts the current political landscape and the ideologies of elected and appointed extremists would like nothing more than to make sure that all we have left is memories.

Depending on when you get this publication either you will have a chance to vote and make your voices heard or the mid-term elections would have already happened and we will be dealing with the consequences for the next 4 plus years.

All I can say is grab your boot straps and hang on for the ride.

Our convention in Craig over Labor Day Weekend was moderately attended but overall, given the current landscape, location, timing and competition with other events was about as best as could be expected.

We probably had the best demo line-up in years and a big thanks goes out to all of those who donated their time and travels.

A big thanks goes to the vendors as well and everyone that helped to pull off the event which rounded out with a fantastic Saturday Night barbecue and live auction.

So as not to be redundant, additional information and elections and awards results can be seen in the Secretary/Treasurer report.

A final note on the convention is a big thanks goes out to Vice President Chris Jurney, Craig Power Sports, Davies Tent, Advantage Builders, Traders of the Bighorn, Bruce Bartow, Mountain Man Taxidermy, Idaho Trappers Association and all of the donors Kevin & Kandy Herrman, Al Deeds, Don Clifford, Terry Davis and to all the others for auction items. Also thanks to Miss Rodeo Colorado Ashley Baller, Lady in Waiting, Randilyn Madison and her sister Chandler Madison as well. All of these girls will be great partners to deal with in the future.

Next year’s Convention will be in Florence, Colorado with probable dates being August 11th, 12th and 13th, 2023 and this will be an event to remember with commitments from multiple organizations and entities already offering to partner and collaborate. Mark your calendars. More updates to follow.

On other fronts. Wolves are still on the landscape. License allocations and preference points are a major topic of discussion. The November elections will help set the tone for what is yet to come on the conservation and wildlife management landscape. The Northwest Colorado five year Bobcat study is starting this Fall. The Beaver continues to be on the animal rights forefront. Predator hunting as a hole is being further scrutinized.

Recreationists continue to lead discussions that effect Wildlife Management. Parks and Wildlife Commission appointments continue to be bewildering and not for hunters and anglers. Politics continues to tamper with conservation policy. Equity, diversity and inclusivity continues to alter legitimate wildlife management decisions, along with a plethora of other things that might seem like we are up against an unbeatable force but we have a couple of choices to make.

We can stand and fight. We can rollover. We can run. Or we can make sure that we continue to make the memories of yesterday become the fortunes of tomorrow.

Time, effort, vision and money is needed to fight for all of these things.

Surely you can help provide one of the four, otherwise it all might just be a memory.

Get in the game, Dan Gates, President

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Wow what a busy summer. Nuisance work, bugs, bats and all sorts of critters.

Convention is coming along well, lots of mixed emotions on timing, interest levels, fur prices, politics, etc… We have a good line up of demonstrations with a lot of auction items and a good meal planned.

Wolf politics and details have been active this summer as well with all kinds of different emotions and directions and will be challenged on feasibility, impacts, where and how many.

Once again we will probably get more attacks in the upcoming year so it is imperative that we unite all sportsmen and sportswomen, businesses, ranchers to fight for the common cause of our livelihoods and sustainability of the resources.

Chris Jurney, Vice President

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Hi Everyone! We would like our new members Justin Ebarb, Marksville, LA; Josh Oneill, Salida, CO; Brent & Nathan Steele, Craig, CO; James Chapman, Craig, CO; Nate Pruce, Pueblo West, CO; Jim Balash, Purdy, MO.

Well we had our Convention in Craig, CO over Labor Day Weekend. It turned out to be hot but great weather and wonderful facilities. It was an overall great convention but our membership turnout was very low but a big thank you to the members that did travel and came and supported the association!! We did have a great turnout from locals!! It is always disappointing to see no interest from the membership, when we are doing this as a fundraiser and also making business decisions for the association.

Our Annual Membership Meeting was held on Sunday the 4th of September at the Convention were elections were held. Dan Gates was re-elected as President, Kevin Herrman re-elected as NW